There is no doubt that 2020 was a garbage fire of disappointment, and I confess to not having update this page throughout, well, most of it. But that doesn’t mean I was idle — far from it. This year saw some great projects and some big changes that, I hope, will mean more fun community making in the new year. So here, in no particular order, are the best projects of 2020.
Custom Coasters
Lee Valley sells these great slate 4×4 tiles that are perfect for making into coasters. With a little finagling I was able to figure out how to engrave them with the laser.
With a bit more work in Inkscape I was able to make some custom coasters and engraving. These are a great way to remember people who’ve passed, or friends who deserve a bit of memorialization.
Bread
I made bread.
Shed
The best addition this year was an outdoor shed, which helped add space to work and take a bit of pressure off the increasingly-cramped tiny workshop that I had. I used a kit from Shed in a Day to get the structure up. Their kits are easy to assemble, even though it took me considerably more than a day. The basic structure went up pretty quickly, and even six months later I continue to work on its completion.
Fondfolio
The Glowforge got a good workout this year doing some work for Fondfolio, which was also an excellent opportunity to learn about how the tool works and what settings create successful prints.
Fondfolio is an absolutely fantastic service that creates beautiful works of art. If you are considering a unique memento for a friend or loved one, check them out.
Mackintosh Amp
Waaaaaaayyy back in February I went to hang out with the marvelous folks at HackLabTO. I met Hacklabian Scott at the Future of Making Unconference and visited the HackLab headquarters a couple weeks later for a for a fun evening of geeking out and learning. Man, I miss that. One project that I had wanted to do was to modify the crackerbox amp for a tin, in this case, a Mackintosh toffee tin, which I just love even looking at. I bought a Marshall Micro Amp and wanted to put it in a different housing. Thanks to the generous knowledge sharing of one of the Hacklabians I was able to figure out how to fix my original anvil box amp and plan the Mackintosh one.
As it turned out, the tin wasn’t nearly as warm as the cardboard anvil box I originally built it in, but I’m still happy with the outcome.
French Cleats
The new shed needed a system to help organize and store both the workshop and outdoor tools. I wanted something that would make it easy to store and organize a lot of different sizes and types of tools, but one that could also accommodate different configurations to meet the various needs of a shed that also functions as a workshop.
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I love how easy it is to produce as many holders as you need and how easy it is to move things around to suit you current project — just fasten the mating cleat to any box, shelf, or hangar you wish. Don’t like where your clamps are? Move ’em! It’s that easy.
Razor Stand
I started shaving with a straight razor again this year, something I attribute to the excellent attention I have received at a favourite local barbershop, Cabin. However, when I got my old razor back in working order, I realized I needed a place to store it that was out of the way and relatively secure.
After a quick search online I found a template that I thought would work and created a little model to cut out. It worked fine once I put it together, but I kept thinking it could be improved to hold the razor and brush a bit more securely. I fine-tuned the stand using some of the chisels I’d been working on restoring and included a wedge to the post to increase the rigidity and stability. I finished it with a bit of mineral oil to preserve the plywood edges.
Christmas Ornaments
I 3D printed a whole bunch of snowflakes this year, mostly because it made me feel good. Thanks to Dr. Laura Talman (mathgrrl) I found a great bunch of stl files that were super easy to print without too much fussing with settings, and ended up printing dozens. Some stayed around for our own decorations, and some I gave away as gifts.
I was also inspired to create a few laser-cut ornaments (NSFW inspiration), and made some customized ones for a few neighbours’ kids. At least they can come out of this holiday season with something unique and special.
Face Shields
And the 3D printed face shields. I printed 200+ face shields and ear savers and distributed them to local businesses, walk-in clinics, and gas stations. I still see them being used 6 months later, which gives me a little bit of satisfaction. I was glad that in a time of real crisis and uncertainty I was able to play a very small part in generating hope and momentum.
Making makes a difference.
Old Tools
Some of the best little projects I’ve worked on this past year have been restoring old tools. I am lucky enough to have inherited tools from uncles and grandfathers and want to bring them back to life so that they are functional and usable. Few things bring me more satisfaction.
Even in the midst of this past year, restoring the tools that my fore bearers used brings me a bit of peace. Maybe it does for you, too.
